Page 52 of The Fine Line

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“Bennett,” Dad says, instantly smoothing his tone. “Good to see you, son. How are you?”

Bennett doesn’t answer. His eyes stay locked on me. I can’t meet them.

“There a problem here?” he asks.

“Course not,” Dad says, patting my shoulder before letting go.

I blink and swipe the back of my hand across my face. Didn’t even realize there were tears.

“That was a good game you played tonight, son,” Dad adds.

Bennett looks at him. “I’m not your son, Mr. Sutton,” he says quietly. “But Rhett is. And he played a good game too. You’re lucky you got to see it.”

Dad stares for a beat before his lips curl into a tight smile. His phone buzzes—some woman’s name flashing across the screen. He doesn’t bother hiding it.

“Excuse me,” he says, and walks inside without a glance back.

I stare after him, already knowing I won’t see or hear from him again before he leaves.

“Hey,” Bennett says softly. “You good?”

“Yeah. Of course.”

I force a smile. He sees through it, but he doesn’t push.

“I’m gonna head home,” he says. “Want to come?”

I want to say yes. But I know when we get there he’ll just go into his room and call Julia. And that’s fine.

But I don’t want to be alone right now.

“No. I think I’ll stay awhile.”

Bennett frowns but nods. He knows.

“Alright. Call if you need a ride.”

“I will.”

I won’t.

I hit the bar as soon as he leaves. Drink until my thoughts blur. Flirt. Joke. Pretend I’m fine.

But within the hour, it all crashes back—harder.

I stumble to the balcony, phone in hand. Scroll until I find her name.

It rings. About to give up when?—

“Hello?”

“Baby,” I murmur, smiling faintly.

“Um… what? Hello?” Carly shouts over noise. “Sorry—one sec.” A door slams. “Sutty?”

“Hi.”

“Hi… what’s going on?”

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